"Das vorige mal" cannot be used in this case? I doubt if there's another word for "the last time" in English, is there?
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user508Jul 17 '11 at 13:49

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@Gigili in this special case: no. Das vorige Mal implies that there is or that there will be another time. If the Urgroßmutter has died, (sadly) there will be no next time.
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splattne♦Jul 17 '11 at 13:53

Aha, great point. thanks.
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user508Jul 17 '11 at 13:55

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@splattne: No. There is no such implication. "Das vorige Mal" might be in difference to "Das vorvorige Mal" or another, more early case. "Beim vorvorigen Mal, dass Deutschland Fußballweltmeister wurde, war Beckenbauer Kapitän der Mannschaft, beim vorigen Mal Trainer". There might be another titel, but it isn't implied.
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user unknownJul 17 '11 at 21:46

@user508 Two alternatives in English: "on the previous occasion" versus "the final time". The both mean "the last time", but I think you can see the difference.
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Tim SeguineJan 28 at 11:14